By Alex Paul
Linn County Communications
At their Aug. 4 meeting, Linn County Commissioners Roger Nyquist, Sherrie Sprenger and Will Tucker approved sending a letter to the Oregon Department of Justice supporting the merger of the 40-bed Santiam Hospital and Clinics and the 670-bed Salem Health Hospitals and Clinics.
Commissioners recognized that Santiam Hospital and Clinics serves residents in Jefferson, Scio and Mill City, which are north of the Santiam River area in Linn County.
Tucker noted that if Santiam hospital — which is in Stayton — closed, it would mean an ambulance ride from Gates to the Salem hospital could take 40 minutes. A similar ride transporting a patient from Scio to Samaritan Albany General Hospital would take 30 minutes or more.
“Linn County recognizes the essential role Santiam Hospital and Clinics plays in serving rural communities by providing access to emergency, inpatient and outpatient services for residents who might otherwise face significant barriers to timely care,” the letter notes.
The commissioners also pointed out that “Linn County is an active partner alongside Santiam Hospital and Clinics in the 2024-2028 Regional Community Health Improvement Plan for Linn, Benton and Lincoln counties, developed through the Partnership for Community Health.”
The plan’s goal is to prioritize access to quality care, a strong and sustainable healthcare workforce and timely, coordinated local services that reduce barriers for rural and underserved populations.
The commissioners concluded, “From Linn County’s perspective, the proposed affiliation with Salem Health Hospitals & Clinics represents a responsible and forward-thinking approach to strengthening healthcare access, supporting existing community-based programs and improving long-term system resilience. It aligns with regional health improvement priorities and reinforces efforts to ensure stable, coordinate and accessible care for Linn County residents.”
On July 31, the Oregon Health Authority approved an exemption, allowing the proposed merger to skip a Health Care Market Oversight review. The proposed merger will not become final until a review is completed by the Department of Justice.
Tucker said he planned to testify in favor of the merger at a public hearing on Aug. 5.
If the merger is approved, Salem Health will assume Santiam Hospital’s $22 million in debt and invest $35 million in capital improvements.
In addition to the hospital in Stayton, Santiam Hospital and Clinics operates 12 clinics in Marion and Linn counties. Salem Health Hospital and Clinics operates hospitals in Salem and Dallas, Oregon and numerous clinics throughout the mid-valley.
In other business the commissioners appointed Graham Kislingbury of Albany to Position 3 on the Linn County Mental Health Advisory Board.